Sample carrying and exhibiting device



Feb. 7,1939. v D. woLFsoN ET AL 2,146,041

' v SAMPLE CARRYING AND EXHIBITING DEVICE .Filed June 19, 1957 PatentedFeb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES SAMPLE CARRYING AND EXHIBITING DEVICE DavidWolfson and Samuel H. Berlin, New York, N. Y.

Application June 19, 1937, Serial N0. 149,042

7 Claims.

The present improvements relate to devices for carryingand displayingsamples of cloth and other ilexible sheet materials, but they may beadapted and used withincertain limits for other materials.

Samples of cloth and other exible sheet materials are now carried orshipped, kept on hand and displayed in various ways. Thus, they arepasted or otherwise secured on stili cards, the

lo pages of books and folders and are also assembled by being boundtogether and to one another with or without intervening sheets of paperor the like. All these methods are objectionable for one or morereasons. The books or sheafs are more or less heavy, cumbersome andcostly, and must be spread out on some relatively at surface to exhibittheir contents; the cards are necessarily limited in size for convenienthandling and are easily scattered and confused, and when samples arebound together without being mounted they are easily soiled or wrinkledand are not convenient to handle. There are other objections familiaryto those who have to do with such samples.

The present improvements are designed to overcome the objections to themeans heretofore employed and to provide a simple, efficient andeffective device for making up, carrying, distributing and exhibitingsuch samples. They include essentially a roller with means for removablymounting and rotating it and a backing sheet of flexible material havinga smooth surface secured along one edge to said roller and on which thesamples are mounted, in overlapping relation, by

being secured to said sheet along their edges nearest the roller, sothat when the sheet is wound on said roller the samples are wound withit to form a compact roll, yand when the same is unwound, the saidsamples-which have their outer faces next to the smooth surfacethereofwill unwind with it and be quickly exposed to View. 'I'hisarrangement permits the use of a sheet or curtain of any desired lengthand the mounting thereon of any desired number of samples, which mayberolled up in such a manner that the samples are wrapped in and protectedby the sheet and compressed to a certain extent so as to preserve themin smooth, unwrinkled condition at all times and during transportationand 5o handling. y These rolls may also be packed in tubes and mailed,carried or otherwise transported therein. When the samples are to bedisplayed it is only necessary to take hold of the lower edge of thebacking sheet and pull onit to quickly expose all the samples thereonfor ex-y amination. This may be done very easily when the rollers aremounted in the frame, and may even be done without difculty when therollers are not so mounted, the sheet being disposed in either case insubstantially vertical or horizontal or intermediate positions,according to the convenience of the user, and the samples retainingtheir flat overlapping relation without any smoothing or othermanipulation, and the lower edges of the samples being slightly curledout- 10 wardly so as to be easily grasped by the fingers and the samplesthus lifted and separated from one another for close examination. If thesamples become disarranged in handling they can be restored to normalcondition instantly by 15 lifting the roller, so that the sheet is insubstantially vertical position or in horizontal position With the faceof the sheet which carries the sample down.

Another advantage of the improvements resides in the arrangement whichpermits the application of any one of the samples on the ilexible sheetseparately to the body of a model or dummy so as to permit one selectingcloth for a garment to judge its appearance when worn.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those familiar withsample devices from the following speciiication and the accompanyingdrawing, in which an exemplary embodiment of the improvements isdescribed and shown.

In the said drawing,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a sample carrying and displaying deviceembodying the improvements;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same substantially on the line2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows of that figure;

Fig. 3 is a plan of a exible sample carrying sheet with samples thereonand a roller on which it is to be wound;

Fig. 4 is a side or edge View of the parts shown in Fig. 3; 40

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional enlarged View of the sample carryingor backing sheet with samples thereon on the line of Fig. 2.

The sample carrying and backing sheet I is also a wrapping andprotecting sheet for the samples when they are rolled therewith on theroller, the said samples being sandwiched between coils of the saidsheet when so rolled and having their outer exposed surfaces in contactwith the back thereof. The sheet is therefore made of a sheet of strong,flexible fabric with an enameled or otherwise hard, smooth surfaced backI which not only renders the sheet waterproof but prevents the samplesfrom sticking u thereto when they are unrolled, sol that they willassume as they are unrolled a flatwise position and will not stick tothe said surface of the sheet and become disarranged or wrinkled. Thisis important, particularly when samples of thin fabric or other delicatematerial are carried.

The upper edge of the sheet I is turned over the roller 2 and securedthereto by staples 3 passing through the sheet and into the roller, orby other suitable fastening means, and the roller has knobs or handles 4by which it may be rotated to wind or roll up the sheet and its samples-Through the looped lower edge of the sheet a removable bar 5 is passed,and this bar permits the user to draw the sheet and the samples thereonout easily. It also extends beyond the edges of the sheet so that whenthe sheet is rolled up in the case or holding frame its extendingendswill' engage the sides of the said frame and prevent the said lower edgefrom being drawn inside the said holder where it cannot be easilyreached by the lingers. When a roll is inserted in the holder the bar 5is removed so that its lower edge can be easily passed to the outsidethereof by an unwinding motion, after which the bar is inserted. The baralso has considerable weight, so that it will byits gravity assist inthe unwinding operation, and when the roller is not held in a holdingframe will cause the sheet with the samples thereon to unwind bygravity.

It will be understood that the sheet may be unwound vertically, as whereit is supported on a shelf or other elevated support or horizontally, aswhen it is placed on a table or other horizontal `surface. It will alsobe understood that a spring roller may be employed and positioned insuitable place vacant.

brackets or a holder to automatically wind up the sheet and samplesafter the manner of the ordinary spring shade roller of the Hartshorntype.

The samples E, B, 1, l', etc. are attached to the sheet I by beingsecured thereto, by stitching 8 or other suitable means, along theiredges nearest the roller, so that they are otherwise free to be liftedand examined on both sidesand tested for strength texture and otherqualities. They are arranged in overlapping relation so that a portionof each and every sampleon the sheet is Visible, A prospective purchaserof fabric or other sheet material is thus enabled to select a samplefrom the numerous samples displayed and then examvine the full sample byturning up the samples above the one selected and overlapping it so thatthey will fall over the roller and behind the sheet or, when the rolleris in a holder, on the top of the holder. When one of the lower samplesis selectedv for examination those above it may be rolled upuntil theupper edge of the selected sample is near the roller or holder. Theselected sample can then be examined and tested as if it were the onlysample on the sheet. If the stock of a fabric or the like is exhaustedor for any other reason the same is to be taken off sale, it is Yonlynecessary to remove the sample representing it and substitute another inits place, or leave its Pieces also may be cut from the samples andgiven to the purchaser without disturbing any of the other samples.

One of the advantages of the improvements is found in the opportunityafforded by the looped lower edge of the sheet in which the bar 5 isheld to print or otherwise mark thereon the general character of thegoods represented by the samples-on each sheet. As many rollers asdesired, up to sixy or more, may be mounted in a single holder, with thelower edges of the sheet kthereon exposed to View at the front of theholder. Therefore to select a line of samples of any variety of goods itis only necessary to select the sheet on which samples of such varietyare displayed by the markings on the bottom of the sheet and then unrollthat sheet and its samples by drawing the sheet out of the holder.

The case or holding frame comprises a boxlike member having bottom 8,sides 9, back I0 and hinged cover II with depending front flange I2 inspring frictional contact with the forward upper edges of the sides whenthe cover is closed. The cover also has depending side flanges I3overlapping the upper edges of the sides, and it is hinged to the Yupperedge of the back at I4. A A

handle I6 is secured centrally to the back, and by this handle the caseor frame may be carried or hung vertically if desired. Open endedvertical slots Il are provided in the ends of the holder to receive therollers 2, and permit them to rotate for the winding and unwinding ofthe sample sheets. These rollers may beeasily removed by raising theYcover and then liftingl them out of their slots, and may be placed inposition by simply dropping them into such slots. A curved partition i8separates the front roller from the one behind it, and leaves a channelbetween it and the bottom of the case through which the sheet in therear and its samples may pass. Feet I9y of rubber or other compressiblematerial are located on the bottom 8 of the holder, preferably at thecorners thereof. In the drawing the case or holding frame receives tworollers only, but the construction is substantially the same where threeor more rollers are provided for, the case being merely made deeper andlonger from front to backflexible, tough material secured at one end to`said roller and adapted to be rolled up and unrolledY thereon, a frame,means for removably holding said roller for rotation in said frame,means for causing said roller to rotate in said frame tov roll up andunroll said sheet, rows of samples-of flexible sheetfmaterial attachedto one side of saidl sheetin overlapping relation and extendingoutwardly therefrom and adapted tovroll and unroll therewith, saidsamples being securedV at one edge to and extending freelyfrom saidsheet sandwichedfbetween coils of the sheet when rolled up, the edge ofeach sample which is secured to said sheet being the edge nearest saidroller.

2. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other material,comprising a roller, a sheet of exible, ktough material secured to saidroller and adapted toV be rolled up and unrolled thereon, a

frame, means for removably holding said roller for rotation in saidframe, means for causing said rollerrk to rotate in said frame to rollup and unrollV said sheet, rows of samples attached to said sheet'atfoneedge and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from theroller but otherwise free of said sheet and adapted-v to roll andVunroll therewith, said samples-being` sandwich'e'df between coils ofthesheet when rolled up, andV their freerportions being arranged-to unwindfrom said roller before their attached portions.

3. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other material,comprising a roller, a sheet of flexible, tough material secured to saidroller and adapted to be rolled up and enrolled thereon, a frame orcasing, means for removably holding said roller for rotation in saidframe or casing, means for causing said roller to rotate in said frameto roll up said sheet, rows of samples attached to said sheet andextending outwardly therefrom and adapted tol roll and unroll therewith,said samples being sandwiched between coils of the sheet when` rolledup, said samples arranged in overlapping relation throughout the majorportion of their areas but each having a portion exposed to view when inunrolled position, said samples being attached near the edges which arenearest the roller and being free at their opposite edges and throughoutthe major part of their areas, the construction and arrangement beingsuch that the said samples are unrolled together and while in closecontact with one another by unrolling the sheet and unroll free edgesfirst with-and while maintaining a position parallel with the sheet.

4. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other material,comprising a roller, a sheet of flexible, tou-gh material secured tosaidroller and adapted to be rolled up and unrolled thereon, a

frame, means for removably holding said roller for rotation in saidframe, means for causing said roller to rotate in said frame to roll upand unroll said sheet, rows of samples attached to said sheet andextending outwardly therefrom and adapted to roll and unroll therewith,said samples being sandwiched between coils of the sheet when rolledup,said samples being attached near the edges which are nearest theroller and being free at their opposite edges and throughout the majorpart of their areas, the construction and arrangement being such thatthe samples unroll free edges first with said sheet.

5. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other material,comprising a roller, a sheet oi flexible, tough material secured to saidroller and adapted to be rolled up and unrolled thereon, a

between coils of the sheet when rolled up, said samples being attachednear the edges which are nearest the roller and being free at theiropposite edges and throughout the major part of their areas, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the samples unroll freeedges first with said sheet.

6. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other material,comprising a roller, a sheet of exible, tough, relatively smoothmaterial hard surfaced on one side secured to said roller and adapted tobe rolled up and unrolled thereon, a frame, means for removably holdingsaid roller for rotation in said frame, means for causing said roller torotate in said frame to roll up and unroll said sheet, rows of samplesattached to the side of said sheet opposite the hard surfaced side attheir edges nearest the roller, and extending outwardly therefrom butotherwise free of said sheet and adapted to roll and unroll therewith,said samples being sandwiched between coils of the sheet and in contactwith said hard surface when rolled up, said samples arranged inoverlapping relation throughout the major portion of their areas eachhaving a portion exposed to View when in unrolled position, said samplesbeing attached near the edges which are nearest the roller and beingfree at their opposite edges and throughout the major part of theirareas, the construction and arrangement being such that the samplesunroll free edges rst with said sheet.

7. A device for displaying samples of cloth and other materialcomprising a roller, means connected therewith for rotating the same andthereby winding and unwinding a sheet of material thereon, a sheet ofmaterial fixed to said roller and adapted to be rolled up and unrolledthereon by the rotation of the later, said sheet having a smooth, hardsurface on one side, samples of material mounted on the opposite side ofsaid sheet by being secured thereto near one of their edges andextending away from said sheet and being free thereof in a directionleading away from said roller, said samples having their said freeportions in overlapping relation with other samples and arranged to bewound with said sheet on said roller by the rotation of the latter andto be surrounded by said sheet when so wound with their surfacesopposite those secured to the sheet in Contact with said smooth surface.

SAMUEL H. BERLIN.

DAVID WOLFSON.

